Sample: Write Your Representative

( If you do not know who your representative is find them here).

Dear Representative _____________,

We are writing to express our strong support for HR 1142, the Alopecia Areata Medicaid Improvement and Parity Act of 2009.   As our Representative, we strongly urge you cosponsor this important legislation.

HR 11426 would improve Medicaid coverage for hair prostheses for those affected with the most severe forms of alopecia areata.  It was introduced by Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA).

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that results in the loss of body hair.  Those affected by the most serious forms of the disease suffer the complete, or near complete, loss of all body hair. There is currently no cure for alopecia areata and treatments are few and often ineffective.

Adults with alopecia areata have lost jobs, been harassed or accused of belonging to extremist cults because of their hair loss. Children have been moved to special education classes and ostracized by their peers.

For these reasons, dermatologists consider it entirely appropriate and necessary that patients be reimbursed for a hair prosthesis. Dermatologists also consider the need for a hair prosthesis to be much the same as the need for a leg prosthesis and is sometimes the best therapeutic alternative available.

Unfortunately, just 12 states currently provide Medicaid coverage for hair prostheses. HR 1142 would provide coverage for one scalp prosthesis annually for people with the most severe forms of the disease. It is estimated that 5,000 of the nearly 50 million Medicaid beneficiaries (0.01%) will qualify for this assistance.

We strongly urge you to cosponsor HR 1142 and look forward to your written response to this request.  Thank you.

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